Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and the Supremacy of Cow-Donation

Devanagari script

स्त्रीसहस्रावृते रम्ये मन्दाकिन्यास्तटे शुभे मोदते ऋषिभिः सार्धं सुकृतेनेह कर्मणा //

Transliteration

strīsahasrāvṛte ramye mandākinyāstaṭe śubhe modate ṛṣibhiḥ sārdhaṃ sukṛteneha karmaṇā //

Translation

In that lovely, auspicious place on the holy bank of the Mandākinī, surrounded by a thousand women, he rejoices together with the sages, as the fruit of the meritorious deeds performed here.

Word by Word

• स्त्रीसहस्रावृते: encircled by a thousand women

• रम्ये: delightful, charming

• मन्दाकिन्याः तटे: on the bank of the Mandākinī

• शुभे: auspicious, holy

• मोदते: rejoices, delights

• ऋषिभिः सार्धम्: together with the sages

• सुकृतेन: by merit, through virtuous deeds

• इह: here (in this place / in this context)

• कर्मणा: by action, by rites/deeds performed

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying a tirtha-mahatmya style description within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework

Entities Mentioned

• Mandakini
• Rishis

Tags

• Tirtha
• Mandakini
• Punya
• Rishis
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes tirtha-mahatmya—how merit (sukṛta) gained “here” yields joy and elevated company (with ṛṣis).

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It supports the householder/kingly ethic of earning sukṛta through dharmic action—pilgrimage, charity, vows, and riverbank rites—resulting in auspicious outcomes and refined spiritual association.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the sanctity of performing karmas at an auspicious riverbank tirtha (Mandākinī-taṭa); the verse implies that place-specific rites generate distinctive spiritual “fruit” (phala).